Living in a Fantasy World

Once upon a time….in a far away land….seems common starts point for every imaginary story. Curiousity strikes when I was a kid because I have no idea of how a Castle look-likes or what a prince/princess does in their everyday lives. Though I was feed with some information thru make-believe story, or rare picture attach in a book, or even watching TV cartoon series like Cinderella, Sarah (ang munting prinsesa) or any character with chateau as their main venue, still I’m a bit famished to see a real one. As a child growing up in an ordinary house, along with my playmates, a fairy tale story keeps us grounded and at the same time inquisitive of how and when can we able to see a true castle.

It took a lot of years before I finally set my eyes into fantastic view of a true-to-life castle. As part of our 1 day-trip, our next itinerary after Taal adventure is Fantasy World. Actually we don’t know where its exactly located. What keep us moving is a basic idea that it was visible along the Lemery-Tagaytay road. Without any particular direction we quickly ride on a public jeepney and keep our eyes alert for a possible signage. After a very short travel time……yehey….we safely and excited-ly arrive in Fantasy World. Yes, its true that cars coming to and from Tagaytay can able to witness its stunning beauty.

FANTASY WORLD

Unlike a peckish-concept kid I was before, the technology nowadays serves a good information tools to our mind. Thru internet I can browse the image of Disneyland. I know the fact that it has a different style of castle that bring astonishment to every visitors. Well, in the Philippines we don’t have an actual disneyland but when I saw the Fantasy World it reminds me of it. I don’t even know its existence in Batangas and so grateful to my friend who introduce us to this tourist spot along Diokno Highway, Brgy. Mayasang, Lemery, Batangas.

When we first got down from the jeepney we’re all flabbergasted and shout….”Wow!” We forgot that we are not a kid anymore but still act the same way when excitement comes from majority of our voice and walk as fast as we can to reach the main entrance. The security guard greet us with his killer smile and approach him that we want to go inside and climb those Tree House. Unfortunately, the theme park is a membership club and primarily open for its member.

The tree house that reminds us of our Bahay-bahayan when we're a kid.

Though we are unable to see its indoor charisma we don’t allow disappointment to ruin our happiness. We just take a full advantage of its glamorous and majestic view outside. After all, it was a dream come true for me.

After a series of picture taking, we need to leave the place because we are running short of time for our next plan. We are a commuters and taking chance to get a public transport on that area is really unpredictable. Normally, those jeepney coming from Taal is totally loaded with passenger and its rare to vacate those seat on the middle of their journey. No choice we need to wait.

Light junk-snack on the road.

Getting an empty 5-seat for any jeepney seems hard this time. Whoahhh… standing is sometimes make us a bit tired. and we found a solution…..

o di ba...para kaming mga bata...basta na lang umupo sa semento.

While we enjoy the ambience outside and the purity of air from the trees surrounding the Fantasy World, we learn that this theme-park close to us is the main setting of 2006 GMA Filipino-fantasy TV series, Majika, topbilled by Angel Locsin and Dennis Trillo.

Fantasy World is indeed a notable place for me. It does not only give us an opportunity to step closer to the castle but also make us more adventurous by sitting in a road new to all of us and first-time hitchhiking to one passing vehicle. Oh yes, thank you to Kuya who have a big heart and generously offer his private car ( he’s travelling back to Manila that time) to accompany us on our next destination for free.

Thank you FANTASY WORLD for transforming my fantasy into reality!

TAAL ESCAPADE

I got an opportunity to spend some couple of hours in Taal, Batangas. Unknown to many, Taal exhibit their very own cultural identity and create some additional contributions on Philippine history. Well, I am so blessed to see personally the Basilica de San Martin de Tours also known as Taal Church. It was considered as one of the biggest catholic church in the Philippines and in Southeast Asia first constructed in 15th century then re-built on year 1856. As a matter of fact, in between those dates and lot of natural calamities it faced, still the church remain as one of the tourist spot in Batangas and till now it was a favorite venue for visita iglesias among Filipino and shelter a lot of people who ask for Divine assistance.

Basilica de San Martin de Tours

I am so amazed on its architectural facade outside but got more impressed when we sit inside. The serenity of the place enhance each church-goers  to be more faithful and grateful with our God-gifted lives. There’s no mass when we arrived but we are so lucky to hear those youth members of choir rehearsing their notes. Up to this date, the church was a dream wedding venue for some lovers out there.

A few step from Basilica is a public park. Though it was a small quarter only, it gives a quiet relaxation when you want to unwind.

We also spent some time in Our Lady of Caysasay shrine, a 10 minutes walk from Taal church. The 16th century old image was found by a fisherman and miraculously vanish many times but after a year of disappearance, the same image was reflected in the spring beside the village of Caysasay. Till then it was recognized that the Holy Image shares a multiple miracles and healing power. It even create a conclusion that the Image saves the town of Taal from its devastated Taal Volcano eruption during that time. For the record, the Image of Our Lady of Caysasay was canonically crowned in 8th Dec. 1954 at Taal Church.

Taal is not only known for its churches but also for its delectable filipino dishes. We arrived at Taal in the morning so we dine in one restaurant that offers a breakfast meal. Its a great wonder to found in every corner even in a simplest restaurant a trace of Batangas way of living. Here in Don Juan BBQ, they serve a varities of ‘silog’ delicacies and its interior generate a a historical tribute for each diners.

Look at the widely-opened windows made of Kapis shell. Most of the houses today were built in a modern adaptation so being able to see an old-version design in our new-age day is really one-of-a-kind experience. Even their decorations shows a true-blooded batanguenos way.

After a healthy breakfast, we had a short tour in Taal Ancestral Houses. Walking in between those houses remind me of culutral wealth of Batangas province. I am so impressed on how the Caretaker preserves the wellness of the house without compromising its old-fashioned design. If you knew Marcela Agoncillo, a legitimate child of Taal, she enlist the town into Philippine map by manually sewing our first and official Philippine Flag. Her old house in Taal turned out to be a museum as a commemoration to her valuable contribution.

Taal Ancestral House

Another informative news about Taal is being cited as Bayan ng Barong Tagalog (embroidered cloth made from Jusi and Pina) and Bayang ng Balisong (Butterfly Knife). No wonder why most of the soon-to-be-couple often visits Taal for their search of wedding gown. Here only in Taal Public Market, where we had a walk-trip, you can see a different design of handmade gown and they even available for rental package. It was also famous for its product- Balisong which is a gateway for Batanguenos being referred as brave and bolder in a appropriate and decent way.

Wandering the town of Taal in a short period is not enough. I’m sure there’s a lot of promising story and discovery awaits for each guests. Till next time….

Our Trip’s SCENE-sational Moments

Our Baguio trip is one-of-a-kind experience for us. Though we had a limited time, its undeniable how we gain an unlimited source of blessings and bloopers on/off our 2-days escapade.

1. Our call-time is 6pm but past 6:30pm were still having our group dinner.Yey,hindi naman kami late nito.
2. After a month-long of not seeing them, this trip serve as a gate to rekindle our friendship. We didn’t notice the time consume on our way to Manila because we are so busy in chatting to each other.
3. When we are about to got down from the bus, the Ticket Inspector help us with our baggage. While carrying a much-weigh bag of my friend he quickly jump into conclusion that we’re all bound to nearby country. Haha… si Manong oh kapag me maleta airport na agad hindi ba pwedeng Baguio muna.
4. We didn’t expect the outnumber of travellers off to Baguio on that same day. We know we are a bit late but when we reach the bus terminal more and more people are in hurry to buy their ticket. Our suppose-to-be plan departure of 9pm suddenly become 1am. Wheeeww, need a big adjustment on our itinerary.
5. 4hrs of waiting is not easy when you know that crowds keep on increasing every minute. The ratio of guest to chair is 6:1. Its common to see inside the terminal those travellers sitting in the floor. We are also one of them.
6. We are advised to take care of our personal belongings while in Baguio for pick-pocket-ers are so tempting but would you believe that within a short span of an hour and right from the terminal  my friend was a victim of this fraudulent act. In a blink of an eye her cellphone is gone. Shock by what happen we help her to find it hoping that she just misplace it on her bag. Amidst the onlookers, we search and check  her bag and at the same time we keep on ringing and sending message but to no avail she accepted the saddest fact that her long-time most treasured phone is now in the hands of a strangers. Kung sino ka man…sana makatulong yan sayo at pausap paki-ingatan na rin.
7. My dear friend who lose all her contact details need to inform her husband about the mishap she had encounter. Her husband positively noted her: “basta mag enjoy ka lang sa trip nyo. Wag mong hayaang maapektuhan ang araw mo dahil lang sa pagkawala ng cellphone mo”. After such heartwarming message, we saw again the undefeated smile on her face. She eventually gave all our number to her husband so that he can call her anytime.
8. Finally our waiting-time is over. To our excitement , we choose the last row in the bus since we are 5 in a group and those 5-seater is definitely  fit to us. Whoahhhh…ang hirap pala sa likod…maalog!
9. We need to sleep. Yes, as part of our plan, the backseat will be our bed this time. We require a gigantic energy for our 2-days getaway. It is a 6 to 7hrs of driving from manila to baguio so sleeping inside the bus is a great excuse to prepare ourselves and recharge physically.
10. The airconditioned bus seems to be colder as we go along. My friend who by then felt the bone-chilling effect and was seating beside the window took the half side of the curtain and used it as her blanket. Haha..resourceful!
11. Though we are still on the chatting-mode, we motivate ourself that sleeping is a must. All eyes were set for a long rest. Most of the passengers already find their solitude moment so it’s a bit jealous that we are still awake. ZZzzzzzz..sleep..sleep…sleep! After thirty minutes, I find it difficult to force myself so I just perceive if my friends were also pretending like me. I unmasked my shawl and hey….all backseaters were pretty awake. OMG, as my friend says: ‘niloloko lang natin ang ating mga sarili!’A generous giggle cause slight noise in the bus. Even some passengers gave a fussy look on us. Sorry! It was after the NLEX when we finally went to sleep.
12. The bus stop.  A charming sun were about to rise when I open my eyes. I couldn’t believe how I got a total relaxation despite of seating in a shaky backseat.” Are we here in Baguio?, I heard from the passenger in front of us. The same question pop in our mind. Owwwsss…we are under the influence of long-hour rest that we are unable to see the beauty along the road. Suddenly, I remember the lofty pine trees, greenery mountainous side and  zigzag road I read in some books featuring the distinctive description of Baguio. How come we didn’t see all of these. A petty sound of regret cover our face. My friend who was a frequent traveller laugh at us and said: ano ba kayo, paanan pa lang to ng bundok, paakyat pa lang tayo ng baguio. bwahaha….excited!!!!! Yes, thank you at least we will never miss the opportunity.
13. Oh, Baguio at long last we meet you! We received a warmest welcome from my friends family. They even prepared a breakfast for us.
14. Every single minute is important in our 2-days trip. We shouldn’t waste it. My friend started to take a bath. It’s my turns I went to bathroom along with my towel and clothes only to find out that there’s no hot water available. I couldn’t disturb them as they were on the attic preparing for our much-awaited trip. I felt freezed by looking at the chilled water in the pail. Need some motivation….think about the sweltering temperature in the desert, pour the water and oh.la.la….ang lameeeegg! I should think pala the winter season to have a fair match.
15. Cool is a word best describe to Baguio. So what is a coolest to wear….shorts!
16. There’s a lot of travelers waiting outside at 50 Diners. Like them, we patiently wait till our reservation number was announced. When we got the chance to sit we quickly order our food. We choose the value meal good for 5 people. After 15 minutes, the assign staff were happily serving their dishes. Our small table was occupied with 2 big bowl of rice, 5 entrees, juice drink and 5 ice cream desserts. At first, we think that we can’t able to finish all. The serving was so generous. And here’s the twist… our first impression didn’t last, our appetite invites more tasty food till our plates turned squeaky clean.
17. The super fabulous “wang-wang” then we’ll all chuckle : may raid!
18. Four of us really enjoy our semi-vegetarian dinner buffet while one of my friend was just looking at us because she’s more interested in meaty foodies. Yummy vegies pa naman!
19. Having free transportation means more destinations. Yehey!
20. Knowing that Mr. Bencab himself was there inside the museum but unfortunately we didn’t have any chance to personally meet him. Sayang.
21. For our group and last picture in Baguio, all people who help to make our journey more memorable was there in the apartment for final meet-up. Thank you guys!
22. We’re leaving at 8:30pm. No street lights to guide us. Zigzag road  especially during night time are prone to accident. Well, trust and faith is a key. Our driver can manage a safety trip to Manila. Kaya ni Manong yan! La…la…la…sleep! The suppose-to-be arrival of 4am become 3am sharp. O, di ba ang galing at ang bilis ni Manong driver.
23. Last but not the least, the super funny act I did near to our house. I arrived around 5am. Still dim and most of the people in our barangay was enjoying their sleep. Six step from the main highway, I slip. Oucchhh…. accidental planking in the street. Thank you for I am alone that time and nobody see me.

In every situation, we saw a various scenario. For each destination, we learned a unique  lesson. Behind our camera, a story that will last for lifetime. In our 2-days trip, it clearly defines the meaning of enjoyable journey.

ROAM TO BENCAB MUSEUM

Visiting museum is always part of our fieldtrip during my highschool days. I remember I am more excited to roam inside the shopping mall in Manila (mostly last place to visit) than to know each masterpiece in the museum. Well, I’m too ignorant then that I don’t understand the additional knowledge it could possibly bring to my personal lives. If it wasn’t for the report I need to produce after our visit, I’d rather not to give much attention on our less than two hour exploration inside the museum. Anyway, that was before when all we have to do is fall in line and follow the guide along with our teachers whose eyes were set to all students while jotting some notes as part of our assignment afterward.But it was a different scenario when you are are not anymore a student in school. Your point of view will definitely change when you enter a different phase of being a student — in the school of life.

During our 2 day trip in Baguio, we got an opportunity to visit BenCab Museum which by then is unfamiliar to me. Though I had visited some respective museum before, I was excited this time to see what this historical place store for us. Well, BenCab museum is owned and manage by our National Artist and Master of Contemporary Philippine Art, Mr. Benedicto Cabrera, fondly called as BenCab, where the museum itself was named after him. It takes more than thirty-minutes trip from our previous destination to BenCab Museum. We’re so lucky to have kuya as our tourguide because he know exactly where to go and we easily find the place without any peril. There’s a mural outside the main entrance that serve as a major hint to all incoming visitors of what to expect inside. Again, our group did not miss any chance to make our camera more functional by capturing every piece we saw along the premises. Just a friendly reminder, flash and tripod is not allowed inside.

sa labas pa lang, kanya-kanyang picture na...

An entrance fee of Php 100/- each is worth to see the distinctive art collection inside. A receptionist greeted us with her charming smile while requesting us to write our name on the guestbook. From there, she led us to Patio Salvador, an open terrace, where we saw the diverse painting of Sabel on the wall. Sabel, not known to many, is a real-life scavenger woman who lived most of her life in poverty then ended being a mentally-challenge. Back in the year 1965, Sabel were walking in the street when Mr. Benedicto Cabrera (BenCab) spot and took a photo of her. He made a sketched of Sabel which eventually became his substance through the years. We thanked our informative guide for revealing the story of Sabel.

SABEL: one of the best-known muse of BenCab

After an inspiring story about Sabel, we headed to Gallery Indigo.

Inside the gallery, there is an eye-catching old-type chair which according to our guide could make the person relax and enjoy the abundance after lying on it. She also teach us the correct position of lying down.

hay nakaka-relax!

The gallery shelter a life-size painting that truly alluring. It takes a lot of passion to finish one-of-a-kind masterpiece. Super galing! According to our guide, the painting symbolize the relationship between a man and a woman.

Awesome!

Since we had a minor in our group, she’s not allowed to enter in Erotica Gallery. The small quarter in the museum reserved painting and artistic sculpture which is not suitable for young visitors. Sorry if I can’t feature the photo here because it might cause offense to some under 18 readers. Let the pictures we took remain private in our gadget. Peace!

As we went along to see other work of arts, we stopped in the hallway for one canvas that indeed a walk-stopper among visitor. Everyone will magnetized on the surreal beauty that it holds. I keep on staring at the painting and somehow wish that i could take it home as souvenir.

ang painting na nang-akit sa aming mga mata! Sobrang galing ng artist!

our un-ending question: Why?

By the way, some of the painting are available for sale. When we asked the guide of what is the price range for each canvas she confidently answer us with Php 200K.

Every corner in the museum tells a story. Like the hallway in the 1st floor where Bulol, god of rice fields, were on display portraying different stages and position.

We also explore Bencab Gallery where most of National Artist for Visual Arts, Mr. Bencab’s masterpiece and collection were arrange properly for public viewing.

Reunion by Bencab (he loves to paint family matters)

A breath of fresh air from the veranda gives a relaxing effect to us.

we're so happy!

Overlooking to the mountainous side of Baguio and look what we found below……. a beautiful nipa hut surrounded with man-made lake.

During that time the place were semi-blanketed with fog. Somewhere in our mind we wish to go there and embrace the simplicity of the garden. Suddenly, our guide smiled and allowed us to tour the garden. Whaaattttt? I thought it was a private resthouse but then again, it still part of the museum. Wow! Another amazing discovery about Bencab Museum.

We tour the rest of the museum after a panoramic sightseeing. Some of the old kitchen utensils, weapons and other crafts were put together under one area of Cordillera Gallery.

Bencab museum is built not only to exhibit the artistic aptitude of Mr. Benedicto Cabrera but also it alloted some space for other filipino artist to showcase their talent. Here are some of the display in Philippine Contemporary Art Gallery:

"Wag mong damdamin ang mga bagay, dahil ang mga bagay ay walang damdamin"... Tama!

Neos by Mark Tandoyog

Baby Sandata 2 by Lirio Salvador

On our way to the farm, we pass to Cafe Sabel where a visitor can dine it while they enjoy the view outside. Since we don’t have much time to sit back we headed to the garden for some picture taking and feel the good ambiance of green surrounding. It’s really amazing to know that this small area is an extension of the museum. According to our guide, Mr. Bencab owns a house nearby the museum so that he can visit the place anytime.

Garden at the backside of the Museum

Moreoften, Museum is a place to discover the past and present work of an artist but it is my first time to encounter here in BenCab museum the true sense of learning experience on each canvas inside but also the enjoyable sightseeing outside. I may not be an inborn art aficionado but when I saw up close the various artist works here in BenCab Museum, I can’t help but to admire their skills and personal touch on their very own masterpiece.

BenCab Museum, Km 6, Asin Road, Tuba, Benguet, Philippines,(+6374-442-7165)

Day 2 @ Baguio

I still have a hangover on our 1st day in the City of Pines. I know there’s more to discover and lots of promising experience awaits us once we begin our wandering outside our apartment.  For our energy-booster, we have coffee, bread, instant cup noodles and home-made sandwich (my friends baon) on our table. An exchange of opinion about our experience yesterday awakes us and add some excitement to our breakfast. Before the sun rise, we are ready to conquer the other popular tourist destination here in Baguio.

We receive another set of blessings thru my friend’s father who resides in Baguio. He offer his car for free. (super thanks!) While waiting for the car that we will use for our tour today I take a shot of those houses built on the side of the hill.

During night time, the mountain look likes a christmas tree and these houses are like christmas light that create a beautiful sparks on a dim surroundings..

Looking afar, the baguio houses looks like a beautiful masterpiece in my eyes. At first I wonder how to get there when all the pathway leading to their abode seems very difficult to reach because of too much steep. I also admire the strategy of some driver to accelerate their car on the place where maximum height is obviously visible everywhere.

When kuya (our special tourguide cum driver, Super thanks <—-) came to pick up us, we quickly went to La Tinidad, Benguet to see the famous Strawberry Farm. Its an advantage to went there early to avoid traffic.  Its really refreshing to see a vast garden of newly planted strawberry, greenery lettuce and some other vegetables that I forgot to ask the name due to my amazement to the place.

So many people were likely enjoying their walk in the farm. I have the same experience in my hometown where my father used to plant corn. Amidst the scorching heat of the sun, we offer to help him in planting a few seeds of corn. After doing so, we will take a walk, sometimes running in between until  our feet got tired. Unlike before the freezing wind passes thru my skin and this time I was surrounded with lots of tourist and bounty supply of Benguet’s originated fruits and vegetables.

Handpicking some ready-to-harvest strawberry is one of the exciting activities to enjoy in the farm. Due to strong demand, the handpicking fee is twice as the commercial value. For instance, you’ll not paying for the strawberry but for once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Don’t be surprise when most of the vendor persuading you to buy their product generated from what Benguet has unlimited supply. Of course, along side there is a number of stall for newly harvested fruits and a basket of kakanin (made from pinipig), jam, strawberry ice cream and their famous-straweberry taho. From so many available food we never miss to taste the much-awaited taho with strawberry flavor. Since last night we’ve been talking about it. We’re so happy that right in this moment the mouthwatering taho is in front of us.

D' man behind our favorite Strawberry Taho

After filling our eyes with a splendid scenery in the farm and had a light snack at Jollibee, we went straight to Bell Church. We saw this temple on our way to the farm and promise ourselves to spare some minute there. Bell Church is a well-known chinese temple located along the road to the town of La Trinidad. It became a house for those people who seeks for spritual relief. As we tour the premises I can’t help but to admire how chinese bring their culture and influence here in Baguio. Most of the area were dominated with green and red color for which I really don’t understand what is it for.

Chinese Temple

Bell Church welcome us with a beautiful landscape. No wonder why the place offer a quietude moment even outside. Along with other Chinese national, we embrace the serenity of the temple.

Our backgroung is indeed a big canvas.

1. The ladder at the back is a way going to Pagoda. 2. Another tourist spot.

It’s really amazing how they maintain the cleanliness and calmness of Bell Church. While we enjoy each step to Pagoda, we never fail to astonish the stunning view from above.

View from the top!

On our exit, an advertisement catch our attention. Hehe, single-friendly! Anyway, we should respect the rules and be there for offerings and prayers.

Intiendes! Taray!

Aside from Bell Church, we also visited another place of meditation-Lourdes Grotto.  It is located at Mirador Hill, where a tourist or devotee’s pilgrimage start at the bottom all the way up to the Shrine. We take each step courageously and feel blessed to see the statue of Our Lady of Lourdes, which was carved by Isabelo Tampingco in 1913.

Each steps means a lot!

I am honor to be in a sacred place after a series of steps. The terrace where the main altar was built is really sacrosanct. Each one can bring flowers or lit a candle as there is one quarter provided for all these offering. Most of all, it give us a great space to pray and be thankful for our life.

On our way down, we take different path. Instead of taking the ladder we explore the other road where image of Jesus serve as a main guardian of the holy place of Grotto.

Another interesting fact about Baguio is being home for Bencab Museum. I’m sure not all of us know that this great museum exist in the city. Well, I admit I’m one of those innocent slash ignorant tourist who doesn’t even have a single knowledge about Mr. Benedicto Cabrera (BenCab – now I understand where the museum’s name stands for). It such an honor to see his brilliant works display on his very own museum. I will make a separate post for our memorable trip at BenCab Museum.

If before we enter the museum, we are hungry of some facts about Mr. BenCab’s collection within an hour our guide (I forgot her name, sorry) helped us equipped with knowledge about arts. Then we go back  to the main city and headed to Pizza Volante  in Session Road for our heavy afternoon snack. The place is famous for its tasty pizza and delicious pasta whom customers are keep on coming back for foodie reason.

I realize that since yesterday we’re feeding our heart and mind with lots of amazing things and information. A few steps from where we eat is Our Lady of Atonement Cathedral. It’s time to feed our soul with His unconditional love and listen to His word. A combination of local and tourist come and go in the church for ongoing mass. And we are also one of them.

Pink colour church. Love it!

Its blatantly obvious that pasalubong is always part of the trip so we went to Baguio Public Market to buy something. A lot of product was available in each stall and market vendor was so untiring to call their prospective customer. From so many product, we just bought what our family want us to take home.

It was past 5:30pm when we reach our apartment. We urgently pack our things to make sure we’ll reach the terminal on time. It is one of the unforgetable scenario during our 2 day stay in Baguio. Throwing a joke while trying our best to put all pasalubong in 1 bag. Even before we start our trip 2 of my friend  carry a more-than-average bag as if we had a 1 week sleepover when in fact we had only 2 days to explore Baguio. This is the reason why we keep on laughing because aside from their personal things they have additional parcel to be included on the same bag.

hindi kame magkan-dadala. ang dame!

When we finish fixing all things, we are ready to bid adieu to the place that give us a shelter for 2 days and set a new definiton of what magnificent tourist spot destination they offer for each visitors. I learn a lot in Baguio. It gives me a valuable smile whenever I think of all places we’ve been visited within 2 days. I don’t know when will I have another chance to visit the summer capital of Philippines but I know if someone ask me to go there again—definitely I’ll say YES!

DAY 1 @ BAGUIO

The sun is half smiling when we arrived in summer capital of the Philippines – Baguio City.  A combination of a hot coffee, with tasty bread and scrambled egg is enough to adjust our body temperature into a cold surroundings. After an ample time of short conversation we headed to the first place listed on our pre-itinerary plan. Yes, my friend cum tour guide is indeed a girl scout when it comes to travelling. She knows the tourist spot and make a plan to maximize our stay there.

First stop is Camp John Hay which is southern part of Baguio. From the entrance gate, you will feel the whisper of cold wind and a shadow of big trees covering the pathway. I thought its just an ordinary place but when I saw the Bell Ampitheater downstair encircled with varities of plants it simply create a pleasant scenario in my eyes.  The place is undeniably perfect for romantic setting.  We took a step down and every corner is a good spot for picture taking. We take advantage of shooting our jumpshot when we heard a loud noise shouting at us. There’s only few people so we figure its not allowed to do such scene.  Though, a bit afraid we leave quickly only to find out that a group of people were also doing the same thing. Haha…for sure they wanted us to leave so that they can solely own the area. Anyway, we already have a memorable pics so we let them filled their tour with freedom like what we did.

good place to unwind...

Main entrance of Camp John Hay and our nth time jumpshot..ayieee...

There’s more to see in Camp John Hay. Bell House, a few step from Ampitheater, is a modern museum of American architecture and lifestyle. It was primarily a rest house of General J. Franklin Bell, Commanding General Of the Philippines, where the name of the Museum were named after him. Our group tour the whole premises from the  living room where an old piano on the left side was an attention-seeker to all incoming guest. We then went straight to bedroom just to check what kind of furniture they used few years back.  Taking picture on their antique dining table was one of our memorabilia and seeing the green forest while we were on the veranda invites us to explore the place and find more relaxation on our trip.

BELL HOUSE

When we step out from the museum, we felt at ease to delve into lush trees dancing to the tune of freeze wind. At first, a garden of fresh flower welcome us then we encounter a signage ‘Becoming a Haven’. Though a short history was written on the board, I’m bit ashamed of not able to give some minute of reading what was it all about. It’s just I was fascinated with the place and what I want to do is walk..talk..and look at the outnumber of pines trees around.

On the middle of the forest we found ‘Our Secret Garden‘. Inclined to see what’s inside, we proceed accordingly. Of course, a walloping pine trees envelop our main curiousity. It’s something like you went on garden area but instead of feeling amazed with varities of flower, you will look head up high to those lofty trees.

I was amazed with the way they buried all the negativities of life in a tomb called Cemetery of Negativism, again located inside Camp John Hay. Once you started glancing what is embossed on the stone you won’t leave the area unless you read all what is written on each tomb. Somehow it gives me a space to think some other negatives that I want to leave there.

After burying all unwanted emotion, we went to a mini-park next to it. By then the place started to be crowded as a group of students, maybe they were on fieldtrip, was so excited to tour inside. We just take a short rest and ate snickers chocolate as our light snacks.

When we got a cab, we ask the driver to drop us at Botanical Garden. Right from the gate we saw some Igorots who were happily smiling in the camera along with some group of tourist.

When the area was clear and Igorots was busy on their lunch on the other side, my friend took advantage to have a solo picture with the big signage of Botanical Garden as her background. My other friend who suppose to take the shot set the camera in advance. When she’s counting 1,2,3….all Igorots leave their plates and run as fast as they can for them to be included also on the same picture. Instead of taking solo it became a group picture whereas we pay a total of php120.00 distributed to all of them. After our comfortable walk inside the Botanical Garden, we directly went to 50’s Diners for a gastronomical experience.

Botanical Garden

As much as possible, we want to visit all the tourist destination in Baguio. Even for just 15 minutes we manage to drop by in The Mansion for our group picture taking. Opposite of the rest house is an elongated pathway leading to “Pool of Pines” with towering pines trees on both side. It is the well-known Wright Park at the eastern part of Baguio City. Its so relaxing to embrace the coldest temperature while we were walking in the patio. On the other side of the park a numerous guest were pretty enjoying their horseback riding. We keep our eyes busy staring at them and after a while we take another cab for our next destination.

Unlike some places we recently visited, Mines View Park are total package of crowds favorites. Every area is jampack of people enjoying their chances to see the breathtaking scenery which highlighted the mountainous side of Baguio. Mines View  is not only famous for being a place of good relaxation but a place where we met the wonder dog, Douglas. For Php10.00 you could accompany him to be part of once in a lifetime photo. We also got an opportunity to dress like a typical Igorots by renting their native dress. There’s a long line of tourist who want to pose in a cam while riding in pony with pink hair. For the sake of picture, even two of my friend try it without showing any appearance of fear. The best thing about the place is its capacity to cater every one needs–from food stall where we can choose anything we want, a souvenir shop or simply feel astonish with the beauty of Baguio City.

Located in the same compund of Mines View is the Cordillera World where we saw many souvenir items. Small amount of donation and more picture is enough to filled our trip with so much memories.

We reached Burnham Park when the gloomy night started to envelop the whole place. Some people were already rowing in a man-made lake while other were so contented to look on the side. You can choose either to rent the boat and you will do the rowing or rent the boat along with the boatman. Since it was past 6:00pm and boating seems a tiring activities, we choose the latter. We all sit in one boat and let the boatman tour us for 45 minutes. I notice that some of the boat ensembles a cartoon character which is more likely pleasing to the eye during day time. Instead of finishing the alloted time, we decide to go home for our dinner.

We are so blessed to visit those mentioned places above in full day. Aside from the tourist destination that inspires us to appreciate more the beauty of Philippines, we feel bless to be surrounded with people having a good heart. After our fulfilling tour we received a call from my friend’s father who invited us to come over for a dinner. So blessed to meet them. Baguio is known for its fresh vegies, so what better food to eat there other than a serving of newly harvested vegetables. We had chopseuy and fish as our dinner. After our meet and greet ( and for super yummy food), he accompanied us to their apartment where we will spend our night. Of course, we need to reserve our energy for our 2nd and last day itinerary.